The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), on Friday trained about 50 traders at Igando/Ikotun area of Lagos State on the proper usage of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
The training, tagged: ‘#EkoforGasforEko,’ is part of the LCCI gas sensitisation programme for communities in the state.
The initiative which is collaboration between LCCI LPG Group and Community Development Committee (CDC) started on May 27, to run for five Fridays across Ikorodu, Ketu, Igando, Agbado and Lagos central.
Cylinders and industrial gas burners were given to some of the participants at the event.
Mr Godwin Okoduwa, Member, LCCI LPG Group, said the essence of the initiative was to create awareness and enlightenment in gas usage, particularly for SMEs such as street food vendors.
“Data shows that four million deaths occur from indoor and outdoor pollution, unlike firewood that produce high quantity carbon dioxide and carbonmonoxide, LPG produced less quantity of these harmful gases.
“It’s healthy and affords women more time to do more productive activities and also keeps the kitchen cleaner,” he said.
Okoduwa said those who received free LPG equipment would be monitored to ascertain the impact on their health and social lives.
While highlighting safety rules to end-users, Mr Princewill Ekeji, Safety Officer, Nigeria LPG Association, said that the appliances must be installed correctly in line with safety standard to avoid hazard.
“It’s very safe but it has potential hazard such as loss of containment, that is when gas escapes from the vessel, if the hose is damage it could lead to leakage,” he said.
Ekeji said cylinders must be kept upright or vertically in well ventilated areas, and care must be taken to ensure that people, vehicles and children don’t move over the hose to avoid disconnection.
The CDC Chairman, Igando/Ikotun, Elder Ademola Osibeluwo, lauded the initiative and urged the government for more engagement of the grassroots.
One of the beneficiaries of the free equipment, Mrs Sariatu Elewade, said she is excited for being free from the pain of using firewood.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Stella Osagiede, said using firewood almost blinded her. She thanked the organisers for turning her life around.